The amendment bill was passed with 70 votes in favour and one against. Once ratified, the legislation would mandate the Pension Administration Office to formulate rules within one year for expatriate workers to join the retirement pension scheme.

Meanwhile at today’s sitting, an amendment proposed by minority opposition People’s Alliance (PA) MP Ahmed Nazim to exempt MPs from the scheme however did not pass after 41 MPs voted against it, 29 voted in favour and five abstained.